MANILA, Philippines – With the opening of Isang Araw Lang (Just One Day, 2009), the directorial debut of veteran media man Daniel “Kuya Daniel” Razon, across Asia and the United States this August, its filmmakers hope not only to reach out to the Asian-American community who are waiting to see a simple film with a big heart, but also to inspire them to help people in need.

Now in several countries in Asia, and in North America, the filmmakers want fellow Filipinos abroad to see this independent film to inspire them to do good not only for a day, but in every way possible, everytime there is a chance.

In the film, Razon is Kuya Daniel, a cop-turned-jeepney driver who strives to make a decent living for the five orphans he adopted—and for everyone else. As the story develops, he finds himself in situations where standing by his principles could mean losing the children he loves and, even, his very own life.

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(This is a reader’s review of the film Isang Araw Lang, the directorial debut of Kuya Daniel Razon, screened recently at the Meralco Theater and the PICC Plenary Hall in Pasay City.  This was emailed to us and republished in whole in this blog.  Contributions are welcome from readers.  Please email us at fansofkuyadaniel@gmail.com)

The Parable of the Jeepney Driver | by Benedict Abulencia

Once there was a jeepney driver named Kuya Daniel who had a very, very big heart for helping people, without hoping for favors to be returned and without airing his good deeds to people.  He was assisted by his conductor cum sidekick, Johnny, who always brought things to a, well, wacky turnout.

Kuya Daniel took care of several orphans and attended to all their needs, not to mention the needs of those who looked after them for him.  Aside from that, he was also always ready to respond to the needs of his fellowmen, especially his fellow drivers.  Thus, there was always this clamor of seating him as a replacement to the incumbent drivers’ association president, Ka Rene, who was known to be taking advantage of his members.

At one time, he was able to convince a young snatcher, Estong, to turn around from stealing.  Another time, he went out of his way to rescue several children enslaved by a gang from being sold to unscrupulous foreigners.

When one of his wards got sick and needed a big amount for an operation, Kuya Daniel had an encounter with the corrupt Congressman Ricardo who wanted to capitalize on the child’s sickness for his political ambitions.  Bearing a grudge against the driver, the evil politician took away his adoptees and filed kidnapping against him.

When the silent Good Samaritan seeks the help of his friend Police Colonel Cuevas regarding the suit, Ricardo directs the child trafficking gang to kidnap Kuya Daniel and pressures Cuevas not to favor his long-time pal.  During the torture inflicted upon Kuya Daniel, divine intervention helps the two friends not only to put an end to the gang but also silence the bad lawmaker.  Three months later, doctors were able to find the sick orphan an alternative to being operated, thus requiring less money for her treatment.

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